SIIA Offers Cash To Replace Counterfeit SoftwareSIIA Offers Cash To Replace Counterfeit Software

The Software & Information Industry Association is offering money to buyers who feel ripped off by people who sold illegal software.

The association announced Thursday that it has launched a new "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" campaign that encouraged those who have bought illegal software to turn in the seller and receive up to $500 toward replacement software.

The first 100 eligible buyers who report accidentally buying counterfeit software from an auction site could be eligible for the reward. Buyers must fill out an application between December 13, 2007 and 5 p.m., January 30, 2008.

"The sale of pirated software doesn't only hurt the software industry," said Keith Kupferschmid, SVP of intellectual property policy and enforcement for the SIIA, in a statement.

"It also hurts consumers. Consumers feel 'taken' when they buy software, only to find out when it arrives that the software is a fake -- they did not get an instruction manual or can't get support from the software company. The Don't Get Mad, Get Even program is a way for unsuspecting buyers to get even with auction sellers who rip them off by selling them counterfeit software." Kupferschmid said that auction piracy could be reduced with more help from auction sites.

"Unfortunately, these sites are unwilling to take the actions necessary to reduce the high-volume software piracy taking place on their sites," he said. "If they truly wanted to create a healthy economic environment for the sale of software, they would do more to address the problem. Since they haven't, SIIA has had to step in to protect consumers and the software industry."